Helpful Hints on How to Fix a Bad Haircolor at Home

As a hairdresser, I've seen my share of bad hair colors. Whether it's a do it yourself home hair color, or a color from an upscale salon, sometimes things just don't come out as planned.

If you got your hair done at a salon, please pick up the phone and call. A lot of salons will be willing to correct the mistake, with no additional charge,as long as it is done within a timely matter. If you are unsure about the stylists ability to correct the damage done, you might want to consider going to a different salon with a color correction expert. Color correction can be costly however, and may require more than one trip to the salon to fix it.

If you've colored your hair at home, please check the box for a toll free hotline. Most have color experts on call to help with any issues that may arise.

If you would like to try to correct the problem yourself, here are a few tips that may help.

Try to fade the color. Mix some baking soda with prell shampoo. Hot water and this mixture will help open the cuticle, and remove some of the pigment from the hair shaft. Repeat this 2-3 times. Remember, this is only meant to fade the color, and it might not be enough for you.

If fading the color isn't enough, you may have to recolor. It might not end up the color you wanted originally, but it might be better than having to suffer through a color you hate. Determining which color you buy is the most important step.

If your hair is BRASSY (orange, yellow,gold) you need to buy a color is a NEUTRAL or ASH tone. For example, light neutral brown, or light ash blonde. The Neutral or ash base will cut the gold tones in your hair. You do NOT want to reapply a gold with a gold, or warm base, as it will only add to the brassy.

If your blonde hair has a GREEN cast to it, you want to apply a strawberry blonde. These will be blondes with a red or gold base. DO NOT apply ash blonde, as it will add more green tones to the hair.

If your hair has a pinky peach tone to it, apply an ash or neutral blonde tone .

Never buy a Bleach or lightening kit to try to fix your color. It will only make it worse, and the damage done might be much worse than what you were trying to fix.

When your ready to color, make sure you READ the directions, not all colors have the same processing time.
Apply the color from roots to ends, making to saturate the hair and work all the way through. Now you are ready to process the color. Time the color according to manufactures directions. Do not take the color off too early. It needs time to do its job. Never leave on over 45 minutes.
When your done processing, rinse hair in luke warm water, shampoo, and condition. If you have a deep conditioning treatment at home, take the time to apply, and let that absorb for 20-30 minutes. Rinse conditioner out, and style away!~

Don't expect your color to match the color on the box. Your end result will be a corrective combination, but you might end up with something you really like, and can live with until your next trip to the salon.
Everyone has a bad color experience at some point. This can be a learning experience to help you avoid making color mistakes in the future. And remember, hair color doesn't last forever.